PEDIGREE AND PROMISE: DODIE BOY PE?ALOSA, JR. PRO DEBUT ON JAN. 23
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 08 Jan 2010
He bears a surname that is an institution in Philippine boxing. His grandfather, Carl is a former Philippine lightweight and jr.welterweight champ during the 1960’s, his uncle Jonathan was a former WBC international flyweight titlist (1990) and currently a boxing trainer and another uncle, Gerry, won two world titles – WBC superflyweight (1997-98) and WBO bantamweight (2007-2009).
His father, Dodie, despite having one shorter leg due to childhood polio, was the first Filipino boxer to win two world titles at two different weights – IBF lt. flyweight (1983-85) and IBF flyweight (1987).
The family tree is enough to put pressure on the 19 year old Dodie Boy Pe?alosa, Jr. when he makes his six round professional debut in the undercard of Brian Viloria’s second title defense against Carlos Tamara of Columbia on January 23 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
He is currently trained and managed by his father. Promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud informed philboxing of Dodie,Jr.’s pro debut but the Pe?alosas do not know who the opponent will be. Philboxing visited father and son while they were training at the Cebu City Sports Complex whose facilities are located inside the Abellana National High School grounds.
Dodie,Jr. is a southpaw and will be fighting at 122 lbs. but the elder Pe?alosa plans to have his son campaign at 118 in subsequent fights. He has been boxing as an amateur for four years and has won the gold twice in national tournaments. His name was mentioned in the sports pages last year because he was being recruited to join the national team. He was hyped as having the genetic predisposition to win Olympic gold. But after a couple of months he got homesick and preferred to be close to his family while subsequently planning to turn pro.
He is the eldest of three siblings and a second year mechanical engineering student at Southwestern University of Cebu City. He hopes to continue his studies if the school allows him to take fewer units per semester.
He is currently only 4 lbs. over the superbantamweight limit. WBO welterweight super champion Manny Pacquiao was impressed with the younger Pe?alosa and offered to bring him to the U.S. But Dodie,Sr. does not want to rush things and plans to observe his son’s progress one fight at a time. The elder Penalosa told us an amusing story that while he plans to make his son campaign at a lower weight, Pacquiao wants him to bulk up so he can campaign at a higher weight like the legendary pound for pound king.
Growing up in a boxing family guarantees solid basics. It also carries the weight of high expectations. But one thing for sure, another Pe?alosa in the ring will make the local boxing scene very interesting in 2010.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
NEWCASTLE WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS MURTAZALIEV AND KELLY CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Boxers Make Weight for Brico Santig’s Exciting 21-Bout Promotion in Thailand (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 30 Jan 2026“It’s time for TSABZ to shine” Get to know Tanaka Saburi as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Fri, 30 Jan 2026ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2026
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: WCM Nika Juris Nicolas is Ready to Fight
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 30 Jan 2026PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Ready for Saturday's Hometown Unification Battle against Abass Baraou
Fri, 30 Jan 2026PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026‘THE RING 6’ TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 30 Jan 2026NEWCASTLE PRESS CONFERENCE: WHAT WAS SAID AS JOSH KELLY AND BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV ARE KEPT APART AFTER HEATED FACE-OFF
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Flores vs. Castillo’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Fri, 30 Jan 2026WAPA Deportes Confirmed as Puerto Rican Broadcast Home for Saturday’s Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Legendary Panamanian Juan Carlos Tapia will be inducted into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Additional Matchups for Saturday, February 28 Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
Fri, 30 Jan 2026SWERVE TV STRIKES MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO EXPAND PREMIUM BOXING CONTENT
Fri, 30 Jan 2026